When trying to determine the amount of damages in your wrongful death case, a Decatur personal injury attorney may discuss several potential areas from which to claim these damages.

Funeral Expenses

A Decatur personal injury attorney will try to show that funeral expenses are a direct result of the defendant’s actions, although this is usually only a small portion of the actual amount of damages.

Lost Earnings

An insurance carrier may evaluate the earnings record of the decedent. Additionally, a Decatur personal injury attorney may try to show that the decedent had prospects for a higher level of income in the future had he or she not died. This is easier for a Decatur personal injury lawyer to prove when there is a systematic record of increases in salary, promotions and other benefits. In order to show this potential increase in earnings, a Decatur personal injury attorney might rely on the decedent’s employer. If the decedent’s work history was more sporadic or was in the middle of an educational program, different evidence might be necessary, such as information regarding the economy, work trends or the marketability of the decedent’s skill set.

Loss of Consortium

A Decatur personal injury attorney may also request damages for loss of consortium. This includes determining a value for the loss of companionship and affection that the surviving spouse and any children will experience due to the loss of a loved one.

If you would like more information about potential damages, contact Decatur personal injury lawyer from McCarthy Rowden & Baker at 800-373-6050.